Med Gas Res. 2027 Jan 1;17(1):7-14. doi: 10.4103/mgr.MEDGASRES-D-25-00188. Epub 2026 Sep 12.
ABSTRACT
JOURNAL/mgres/04.03/01612956-202701000-00002/figure1/v/2026-09-13T085902Z/r/image-tiff As a major component of air pollution, ambient particulate matter pollution has rarely been studied with respect to its global stroke burden. This study aims to evaluate the global stroke incidence, mortality, and health inequalities related to ambient particulate matter pollution from 1990 to 2021. Utilizing the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, we analyzed global stroke-related mortality, disability-adjusted life years, and their age-standardized rates. The estimated annual percentage change was calculated using a linear regression model. Health inequalities were measured using the concentration index and slope index of inequality. Between 1990 and 2021, global ambient particulate matter pollution-related stroke deaths and disability-adjusted life years increased by 107% and 101% respectively, yet age-standardized rates declined. China experienced the largest increases in deaths and disability-adjusted life years, Vietnam had the fastest rise in age-standardized mortality rates, the Russian Federation saw the steepest declines in deaths and disability-adjusted life years, and Estonia had the most rapid drop in age-standardized mortality rate. Middle socio-demographic index locations accounted for 46% of the global stroke burden, with age-standardized mortality rates and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years surpassing those in high socio-demographic index locations. From 1990 to 2021, age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rose in low-middle socio-demographic index locations but fell in high socio-demographic index locations. While the concentration index signaled an improvement in global inequality, the slope index of inequality in 2021 worsened compared with that in 1990. Between 1990 and 2021, the global burden of ambient particulate matter pollution-related stroke declined. However, substantial disparities persisted across different regions, sexes, and nations. For ongoing and future research efforts, priority should be given to high-risk populations and regions, while also developing innovative interventions to further reduce the incidence of ambient particulate matter pollution-related stroke and enhance patient outcomes.
PMID:42734442 | DOI:10.4103/mgr.MEDGASRES-D-25-00188